No, KGF is not based on a real story or characters. KGF is an Indian Kannada-language period action drama series, created by Prashanth Neel. The series comprises of two parts, KGF Chapter 1, released on 21st December 2018, and KGF Chapter 2, released on 14th April 2022. Produced by Hombale Films, the movie features Yash in the lead role, alongside an ensemble of supporting cast.
KGF is set in the real Kolar Gold Fields, located in the state of Karnataka, India. Even though the setting of the movie is real, other elements of the movie, such as the gang wars and the rise of a powerful don who took over the mines with guns, mass violence and larger-than-life heroism, are fictional and completely made up for entertainment.
Plot Summary of KGF Chapter 1
In the year 1951, while a poor woman gives birth to a boy named Rocky, a massive gold ore deposit is discovered in southern India. A powerful don Suryavardhan seizes control of the deposit and turns into his empire under the cover of limestone mining.
Young Rocky, driven by his mother’s dying wish to see him rich, enters the Mumbai underworld. He rises through the underworld ranks as a feared mercenary working for the gold smuggler, Shetty. Years later, Suryavardhan hires Rocky to kill Garuda, the tyrannical heir ruling KGF.
Rocky enters the mine as a slave labourer, witnesses the horrific exploitation of the labourers and begins his bloody ascent to power.
Plot Summary of KGF Chapter 2
Picking up right from Chapter 1, Rocky has taken over Kolar Gold Fields by eliminating key threats. He becomes the unchallenged kingpin, while expanding operations, amassing huge wealth and improving the lives of the miners.
Adheera, presumed dead, returns for revenge. Prime Minister of India wants to destroy KGF. Rocky’s former bosses plot against him. The film escalates into massive battles, betrayals and intense action as Rocky fights to save his empire.
Real Elements
Kolar Gold Fields or KGF was one of the largest and deepest gold mines in the world. Mining operations were carried out in KGF for a period of over 120 years, from late 1880s to 2001. As per estimates, the British looted over 900 tonnes of gold from the Kolar Gold Fields. Thousands of workers toiled under harsh conditions, as depicted in the movie.
There have been speculations that Rocky is based on Thangam, a notorious criminal who was shot dead by the police in 1997. However, the director has denied it several times.